Fatemah Alzelzela is a Kuwaiti electrical engineer who is transforming how her country thinks about waste and recycling. Frustrated by the lack of sustainable waste management options in Kuwait, Alzelzela and her sister founded Eco Star, a nonprofit initiative that tackles the issue on two fronts: recycling waste and raising awareness. The initiative has diverted tons of waste from landfills, and along the way, Alzelzela has used social media and community partnerships to educate her community and build interest in sustainable practices.

Alzelzela’s work earned the United Nations Environment Programme’s 2020 Young Champions of the Earth prize, highlighting her leadership and innovation in environmental action. To learn more about Alzelzela’s story and selection, visit the “Action” link below.